Interview With Actor Mehul Nisar

Versatile Actor Mehul Nisar needs no introduction. Being part of the industry for more than 22 years now, Mehul has outshined in the various roles he has portrayed to date. He plays Chanchal Chacha (Hero’s Uncle and Big Role) in the show 'Kabhi Kabhie Ittefaq Sey'.

Tell us something about your character in the show 'Kabhi Kabhie Ittefaq Sey'?

I play the character of the youngest sibling from the Kulshrestha family. I play Chanchal Chacha who is in his mid-forties but considers himself to be a youngster and bonds with the younger generation of the Kulshrestha family.

Chanchal is a very jovial and happy-go-lucky kind of person. He is very close to Anubhav and both are more like friends than Chacha & Bhatija.

Tell us about the various preparations that you have done for your character in the show?

This show is a very different one. The characters are in a very realistic zone. As an actor, a lot of times you have to unlearn what you have learned.

Chanchal's character has a lot of fun and masti but at the same time, he is not overly loud in doing so. I have tried to balance my performance to be as close as to the realistic zone.

Have you taken any particular inspiration for your character? If yes, then tell us why and how has it helped you portray your character?

Like I have mentioned the show is a very feel-good show. It's got a feel-good factor which you have in films made by Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

So to get nuances and understanding of my character, I had to revisit some of their films. And call it a coincidence but a lot of Chanchal Chacha’s character is like what I am in real life.

The Fun, Masti, Being Happy and Jovial, pulling people's legs (just for fun, not to hurt their feelings) is all Mehul. So I have taken a lot of my characteristics and included them in the characteristics of Chanchal Chacha.

How does it feel to bag such a pivotal role at this stage or age?

I feel really lucky and blessed to have bagged this character. Chanchal Chacha is a very important part of Kabhi Kabhie Ittefaq Se and I feel fortunate that the Makers, Production House Shaika and Cockcrow Entertainment, have trusted my capabilities to essay this character.

What do you want to achieve from this role as Golu Chacha in KKIS?

There are people in our lives about whom we think and they get a smile on your face. By portraying Chanchal Chacha I want to get a smile on people's faces.

Tell us about your bond with other co-stars (Yesha, Manan, and Delnaaz) on the sets of KKIS?

With Manan, I hit it off from day 1… our promo day. I am glad we get along well because most of my scenes are with him. Yesha is also a very sweet girl and we have a lot of fun shooting together.

Coincidentally, I and Manan share the same mother tongue and Yesha is also a gujju. And Delnaaz is a Parsi.

So we have this special Gujju connection. I have known Delnaaz for a long time as we have common friends. But we had never worked together. I and Delnaaz make a lot of reels together. And have a lot of fun on the sets.

What makes your day as an actor?

I feel if you ask any sincere actor the answer would be the same. A well-written scene with an honest performance appreciated by your director and audience* is what every actor looks out for.

What is your agenda for 2022?

Take each day as it comes.

How do you keep yourself positive and motivated during this trying phase?

Like I have said that one needs to have a very strong support system to survive in this City. So try to keep away all the negative people and negativity from your life.

Keep calm, be around the people you love and who love you. Try to do something constructive and creative in your free time.

Tell us about your daily work and personal life routine?

I am an early riser. No matter what time I sleep I wake up by 6: 30 in the morning. I'm a total family and a friend's person. Had I not been an actor I would have been a Chef.

I love Cooking. During the lockdown, I started putting my cooking recipes on YouTube. So my normal routine is, go vegetable shopping, watch cookery shows, go all around Mumbai to taste different kinds of cuisines.

I love street food. I like having friends over and cooking for them. So if I'm not shooting, my routine consists of something to do with food

How do you manage to bring balance to your work and personal life?

Frankly, actors live a very unpredictable life. Kaam hai toh you are shooting everyday Kam nahin hai toh you are spending time at home.

So when I am not working I spend all the time with my family. Also, it's very important to have a very understanding spouse who gets used to an actor's lifestyle.

What is the one thing that drives your passion for acting?

Like I have already said that acting is a process where you are creating something new. The fact that you're giving a face to the character, to the lines written for you, by the writer, and imagined by the creatives.

The fact that every day when you wake up and go to work, you know you are going to end up doing something new and creatively satisfactory, keeps your Passion intact about acting.

What made you take up acting as a profession, was it always your dream?

Since my childhood, I was always inclined towards dramatics. I used to take part in school plays. Deep down I always knew that I wanted to be an actor. I pursued and worked towards it. I bagged my first show Hip Hip Hurray in 1998. God has been kind and I never had to look back.